Few issues in Washington are as divisive as transportation funding. But communities big and small all around Washington State all agree on one thing: The streets near and leading to our schools need to be safe.

That’s why so many communities have sent the state proposals for Safe Routes to School projects that would make it safer and easier for kids to walk and bike to class. The state asked communities if they would like help funding these vital community safety projects, and the answer was a resounding, “Yes!”

But the state budget currently only has enough cash to fund a pitiful one in four of these requests. That means every year, three of four schools requesting safety upgrades nearby won’t get them, and students will have to continue to cross dangerous streets on the way to class. Or, likely, won’t be allowed to walk or bike to school at all. That’s not acceptable.

But the state legislature has a chance to change this right now. The Democrat-controlled House is currently debating their response to the Republican-controlled Senate’s transportation funding package passed earlier this session. This multi-billion dollar funding measure is a chance for the state to support local communities that want to make vital safety changes near schools.

The legislature also has the chance right now to increase funding for the walking and biking safety and mobility grant program, which helps communities catch up with desperately lagging walking and biking safety goals.

But Washington Bikes warns that without action from constituents and leaders in the legislature, it’s likely no new money will be allotted for walking, biking and Safe Routes to School. That means years more with only one in four Safe Routes to School requests being funded, or worse if more communities apply for the limited pot of money. It also means no big push to make communities safer for biking and walking and decrease the hundreds of people killed or seriously injured every year. (more…)